Mediterranean Diet Can Help Cut Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke

Rachel Jacoby




You guys already knew that the Mediterranean Diet was healthy -- after all, it's filled with superfoods like olive oil, tree nuts (walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts), beans, fish and fresh produce. But yesterday The New England Journal of Medicine released a study on the diet's efficacy in reducing heart disease. The magnitude of the diet's benefits were so obvious that the researchers ended the study early because it was considered unethical to continue -- the results were obvious!

The researchers found that following any form of the Mediterranean Diet show a substantial reduction in the risk (like 30%!) of suffering from any form of cardiovascular death, such as a heart attack or stroke. Moreover, these results prove that a high-fat vegetable diet is healthier at a cardiovascular level than a low-fat diet. Crazy, right? In light of the diet's newfound bennies, we wanted to share a few of our favorite Mediterranean Diet ingredient-infused dishes for you to whip up at home tonight. Or whenever.

Bonus? A glass of red wine on this diet is encouraged daily. Drink up!

Mediterranean Chef Salad With Polenta Croutons
: Crispy cornmeal polenta is an extra health star in this salad, as it may be easier for your body to absorb corn's carotenoids from milled products like polenta, rather than from whole kernels.

Feta Chicken With Greek Vegetables
: Mina Newman of Christos Steak House in Astoria, New York, designed this Mediterranean meal. Dig in for a combo of heart-protecting folate and filling (slimming!) fiber.

Chocolate Chip-Walnut Cookies
:
These babies are gooey, chocolaty--and light, at about 100 calories per cookie.


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